$15 ball valve bulkhead from Lowes

The Pol · 02-19-2007, 09:36 PM

Ball valve bulkhead fittings for $15 from Lowes!! built 2 today, seal perfectly, I cannot wait to use them with my 10 gal system! See here for the parts detail! Pics to follow....

(1) A-836 1/2"MIP x 1 1/2" Brass pipe nipple (goes through cooler wall)
(1) 1/2" x 1/2" FPT x Barb female adapter (hose barb for insife cooler)
(2) 3/4" SS flat washer (one on the outside and one inside to compress grommet to cooler wall)
(2) 1 1/8" OD x 5/8" ID Rubber grommets (for inner and outer seal)
(1) 1/2" x 1/2" MPT x barb Male adapter (for outer hose barb)
(1) 1/2" threaded ball valve (this sis obvious)

The Pol

**the_bird** · 02-19-2007, 10:46 PM

The only washers I could find at Depot were galvanized, a no-no in highly acidic wort. You have any better luck at Lowes?

The Pol · 02-19-2007, 11:04 PM

These are just hardened washers, and I have used them previously on my other system.

**JimiGibbs** · 02-20-2007, 12:00 AM

Lowe's carrys SS washers in the specialty fastners section. Where were the Rubber Grommets? Do you think they can stand the heat?

The Pol · 02-20-2007, 12:14 AM

The grommets were in the fasteners section, yes they can take the heat, I have used them on my previous system too, they are fat and seal tight.

The Pol

The Pol · 02-20-2007, 12:21 AM

The 1/2" nipple is actually about 3/4" in diameter, so the 5/8" grommet fits it really tight, seals well.

The Pol

**RichBrewer** · 02-20-2007, 01:02 AM

It would be great if you could post photos or a diagram with parts if you can.

A lot of us have lots of trouble finding hardware.

The Pol · 02-20-2007, 01:08 AM

I know, I will, they look and operate GREAT! My 4 year old daughter helped me pick the parts and carry them through the store... ha ha. I went to take pics of the assembly and my digital camera was dead thanks to pictures of the kids playing in our snpw before it melts tomorrow. I will be home next weekend and will try to get those pics up there to help out. My previous system never had ball valves, just the little plastic "pinch" valves that crimp the hoses, what a PAIN!!!! Now I can set my ball valves and just reeeeelax!

The Pol

The Pol · 02-20-2007, 01:11 AM

Also used the teflon tape on all of the threads, with 10 gallons of head pressure, there were no leaks.

The Pol

abracadabra · 02-20-2007, 01:55 PM

I decided to make my own washers when I couldn't find one. I chose Lexan which is practically unbreakable but flexable. I felt like it needed the flexability to conform to the curvered wall of the cooler. I really had to tigthen the heck out of it to make it stop leaking. But it seems to be working and holding up well.